How to start a podcast without waiting for perfect gear — just pick a narrow niche and find your 10 episode ideas.
In this how-to episode, Slava and Jonathan walk through the actual process of launching a podcast in 2026, from defining your topic and audience to building a setup that fits your budget.
They cover the 10-episode test that separates viable ideas from broad ones that get buried, why specificity wins over production value, and a breakdown of equipment options from $0 (phone in a closet) to $300+. Then they tour their own setup: Rode NTG1 mic, Elgato arm and key light, Govee background lights, and a full DSLR rig — plus tactics for finding it all cheaper on Facebook Marketplace.
The bottom line: execution and consistency matter more than having the nicest gear when you start. Pick your niche, record 10 episodes, and upgrade as you grow.
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🎬 CREDITS
Hosts: Slava and Jonathan
Editing: Wellerson Clemer https://www.behance.net/wellersonclemer123
Music: HoliznaCC0
Distribution: Transistor.fm — https://transistor.fm/how-to-start-a-podcast/?via=slava
Side Quest Book Club is a podcast about books, the people who write them, and the tangents in between.
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